Back from Synod
Monday, July 16, 2007 at 09:27AM 
I'm back home from the 2007 URCNA Synod, which was held at Trinity Christian College (in Palos Heights, IL).
Like the three other URCNA synods I attended, the week was absolutely grueling. Since we meet as a synod once every three years (which is fine by me), there is always a long and full agenda. This time we started at 8:00 a.m. and several days worked as late as 11:00 p.m. My butt can only take so much sitting, and my brain can only take so many motions, so like many of those attending, I found myself lurking in the back of the auditorium trying to clear my head and stretch out my aching back. But for those of you who attend Synods and General Assemblies, you know that lots of good stuff gets done at the back of the hall during the meetings.
Unlike the three previous synods I attended, this time there was the profound sense that the URCNA is developing its own ethos, and despite the differences of opinion among us about how soon we will merge with the Canadian Reformed Churches, there was a strong and growing camaraderie among the ministers and delegates. After ten short years of existence, the URCNA is starting to come into its own. That's a good thing.
The highlight of synod was the voice vote associated with justification. When the agenda item reached the floor to affirm that "`Scriptures and confessions ... teach the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, based upon the active and passive obedience of Christ alone.' Affirmed “that the Scriptures and confessions teach that faith is the sole instrument of our justification apart from all works,” the nearly two hundred delegates unanimously answered with great zeal, "aye." When the call came forth, "all those opposed," there was dead silence. It was absolutely glorious. I wish you could have been there to have witnessed it. Since I know that we are sinful and that we will find some way to screw this up, I'll enjoy the moment!
Among the other highlights were the approval of moving to phase two fraternal relations with the OPC--to all you OPC'ers who read this, "you are now stuck with us!"--we clarified (or at least tried to) our on-going efforts to move to full federative merger with the Canadian Reformed Churches, and since we are growing so fast, we split our classis and formed a new one (classis Pacific Northwest). All in all, it looks like we are moving in the right direction. May God grant us the grace to continue this progress.
My personal highlight was the Westminster Seminary California alumni dinner. There are at least twenty URCNA pastors from WSC, and it was great to eat together. Dr. Godfrey (who is well-loved and greatly esteemed by all us) was in fine form. It was a great night!
Now . . . its back to researching and writing until I resume my regular pastoral duties at the end of August!
Reader Comments (12)
....an OPC church taking seriously God's commands to rejoice, and to "clap your hands all ye people".
Awesome! The southern California presbytery could use some schooling from you guys.
I've never once felt like I've worshipped God in one of those services, and 'happy-clappy' services are usually an indication that something else in the church is seriously wrong.
How about bringing back the "Gloria Patri" after every Psalm, along with chanting them with the canticles? Charlie